Every Story Has a Beginning

Part 15 - A Wild Goose Chase!

Chapter 1 - Paranoia

Alfred

"Rise and shine!!!" Dave shouted.

Startled, I jumped out of my seat. Dave chuckled at my expense. I gave him a sarcastic smile as the Sun blinded my eyes.

"Good morning Alfred!" Jay said, a happy look on his face.

"Well good morning to you too!" I replied.

Dave went over to Matilda and carefully shook her awake. Why couldn't he do that for me? It'd be better than scaring the crap out of me. Well, whatever. I guess it wakes me up with a real start. Matilda yawned as she awoke and began to do a little morning stretch.

"Well good morning everyone!" she shouted, after she had gotten herself together. "It looks like you're all wide awake!"

"I've always been awake!" Dave exclaimed. "Can we have breakfast, Matilda?"

"Of course," she replied, taking a few supplies out of her backpack.

And so, as per usual, we had our early morning sandwiches, Dave again the most satisfied of us, and then we began to take our leave.

"Hey Dave, you have the money that we won right?" I asked.

I don't know why I was doubting his ability to keep it safe, but I just got an urge to ask. It was probably just paranoia taking its toll on me, I mean, it had been a long trip, lots of things had happened, it'd only make sense to be more cautious.

"I should do," Dave replied. "But, I guess we'd better check, right?"

He began rummaging through his backpack. As time went on, I began to get slightly more worried, but I trusted Dave wouldn't have lost it. Well, I suppose I was somewhat wrong.

"Alright guys," Dave began, an awkward look on his face.

"What is it now?" Matilda asked.

Dave didn't reply for a second. He simply averted his gaze from us.

"Dave what's going on?" Matilda asked once again.

"I think someone's got our cash," Dave announced, rather reluctantly.

"What!?" we exclaimed in surprised unison.

"Are you sure you didn't misplace it or something?" Matilda asked. "It's what someone as stupid as you are would do."

"I'm sure I didn't!" Dave replied.

Well, if he insists that he didn't lose it...

"Well what do we do now?" Matilda asked.

My ears twitched slightly. Rustling. I could hear rustling. I began to advance towards the noise. Jay also seemed to hear the noise, and as Dave and Matilda kept debating, we continued creeping towards the bush. It kept rustling. Jay gave a countdown and we pounced, which was probably a bad idea to do at the same time as both our heads collided together. However, it wasn't all in vain as we came face to face with...?

"Who the hell are...?" I began.

But she had scurried away before my question was answered. I wondered why she was in the bushes, but as I peered to see where she had gone, I saw her carrying a bag, which was clearly ours!

"Jay, get Matilda and Dave, I'm going after her," I ordered.

Jay nodded and ran back over to Matilda and Dave.

And so, I ran after her.

Chapter 2 - Run, Run, Run As Fast As You Can

Matilda